Texas Clerk Still Stands for Religious Freedom, Frivolous Lawsuit Filed

Hood County Clerk Katie Lang

Hood County Clerk Katie Lang has maintained her position regarding her sincerely held religious beliefs as she clearly stated last week, that other staff members in the clerks office would issue same sex marriage ‘licenses’, which is what happened today.

It has come to our attention that a same-sex ‘marriage’ license has been issued in Hood County, Texas. However, we are also aware of false reports that County Clerk Katie Lang “gives in” and did an “about face” and issued and signed the license herself. As seen in the attached link, Deputy County Clerk Kristi Jackson signed the same sex marriage license, not Katie Lang.  Our view is that County Clerk Katie Lang has maintained her position regarding her sincerely held religious beliefs as she clearly stated last week, that other staff members in the clerk’s office would issue same sex marriage licenses, which is what happened today. Therefore, the lawsuit filed today by a homosexual couple is frivolous and is simply being maintained to punish Katie Lang for exercising her religious beliefs and to request money for lawyers.

Liberty Institute is providing pro bono legal representation for Katie Lang. Senior Counsel of Liberty Institute, Jeremy Dys, stated, “The Clerk’s office was unable to issue a license at close of business on Thursday, even though everyone left with the understanding that one would be immediately available on the next business day…The office was closed Friday. This morning, as of about 8:00 a.m., there [was] a marriage license waiting for the couple that has, for some reason, sued Hood County.”

Texas Values continues to support Katie Lang and the protection of her religious freedom and the religious freedom of other Texas clerks like her. Texas Values helped lead a religious freedom rally in support of Katie Lang last week.